Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
Can you book a taxi for your parents from abroad?
Yes. You can book a taxi for your parents in Saudi Arabia from anywhere, as long as you have WhatsApp. You stay in charge of the booking, and the driver looks after them on the ground. The same works for in-laws, friends and business guests.
This suits children living abroad whose parents are coming for Umrah, residents of Riyadh or Dammam whose guests land in another city, and hosts who cannot get to the airport in time. This post covers what to send, how the pickup works, how to pay and how to prepare your parents before they fly.
What should you send when you book?
- Their flight number and date. We track the flight, so the driver adjusts to the real landing time.
- The name to show on the board, as your parents will recognise it.
- Their phone number with WhatsApp, and whether it will work in Saudi Arabia. Give your own number as the main contact too.
- The number of passengers and suitcases, and whether anyone needs a wheelchair or a child seat.
- The destination: hotel name and address, in Arabic as well as English if you have it, or a map pin.
- Their preferred language. Our drivers speak Arabic, and most also speak English or Urdu; many speak Hindi and Bengali.
- Who pays, and how.
How does the pickup work on the day?
We track the flight, and the driver waits free for 60 minutes after landing. There is no extra charge for airline delays. Immigration and baggage can take a while at busy times, so tell your parents not to rush: the driver is expecting them.
The day before, we send the driver's name and plate number in the booking chat, so you can forward them to your parents. At arrivals, the driver holds a name board, helps with the luggage and drives to the door of the hotel or home. Ask your parents, or the driver, to message you when they are in the car.
For extra help, add our meet-and-greet service. A representative meets them, helps with luggage trolleys and SIM cards, and walks them to the car. It includes support for elderly and first-time travellers.
How do you pay for someone else's ride?
You can pay before the ride by bank transfer or the STC Bank app (formerly STC Pay), so your parents do not need to carry riyals or use a card on arrival. Or they can pay the driver in cash (SAR) or by card in the car.
Fares are per car, not per person, and fixed when you book. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote. Only send money to payment details you received from our official WhatsApp number, +966 57 951 9804.
Which vehicle suits your parents or guests?
Female drivers need 12 hours' notice and run in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam. Request airline wheelchair assistance separately when you book the flights; our driver meets your parents at the arrivals exit.
| Who is arriving | Vehicle | Jeddah Airport to Makkah | Madinah Airport to Madinah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two parents, 2 or 3 suitcases | Standard sedan | SAR 210 | SAR 70 |
| Parents with family, 4 to 6 people | Comfort MPV with sliding doors | SAR 260 | SAR 90 |
| A larger family, up to 11 people | Family van | SAR 330 | SAR 120 |
| A parent who uses a wheelchair | Wheelchair-accessible van with ramp | SAR 360 | SAR 150 |
| A mother who prefers a female driver | Female driver | SAR 270 | SAR 90 |
Guests arriving in Riyadh, Dammam or another city
We cover all 27 Saudi airports. From Riyadh Airport to the city is 35 km, about 40 min, from SAR 60. From Dammam Airport to Al Khobar is 59 km, from SAR 110.
If your guests land in one city and stay in another, book the whole trip in one go. Jeddah Airport to Madinah, for example, is 402 km, from SAR 690, with rest and prayer stops included. For a full Umrah trip, our Umrah transport package covers the airport, Makkah, Madinah and the return with one price.
Help your parents feel ready before they fly
If your parents are coming for Umrah, our post on Umrah with elderly parents covers the days after the airport.
- Save the driver's name, plate and our number, +966 57 951 9804, on their phone, and print them on paper too.
- Write the hotel address in English and Arabic.
- Tell them the driver will hold a board with their name, and that they should not go with anyone else who offers a ride.
- Keep medicines and a change of clothes in hand luggage.
- Plan how they will get mobile data, or rely on the meet-and-greet team for SIM help.
- Ask them to share their live location with you on WhatsApp during the drive.